During the years after the recession hit in 2008, when millions of people lost employment, long lines of job seekers would form early in the morning before a job fair in hopes to nab one of only a handful of positions that employers had to offer.

Today, with the unemployment rate below 3%, dozens and dozens of businesses now head out to job fairs in hopes of enticing candidates with more perks, such as working from home, to change professions.

Despite low unemployment, businesses are hiring. These businesses want to expand. The problem is that there are so many jobs available and workers have many, many choices to make their work life less stressful.

2022:April unemployment rate was 2.8%, down from March's 3.1%

Where are the workers?: More than half of Florida workers ages 18-64 not working

The job market was once dictated by business owners. Laura Byrnes, director of communications for CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion, said the tables have turned and now it is the workers who have choices.

"it's the job seeker's market now," she said. Not too long ago, business owners set the terms of employment. Some would hire a receptionist, for example, and assign accounting duties to the job description.

"A lot of workers enjoyed the flexibility during COVID," said Dale French, executive vice president of CareerSource CLM. "Now we are talking about the great resignation, where people are leaving the job market and doing different things."

Some people are heading out to work in the gig economy: driving for Uber or Lyft or delivering food and groceries for DoorDash, GrubHub or Instacart.

"More people are moving into the gig economy so they can work their own schedules," he said. "We're just in a very different time right now. And until everything settles down, and everybody can kind of step back and look at what really did happen over the last two years, it'll be very interesting."

CareerSource will focus on talent development, occupational training

French said women were negatively impacted during the pandemic, more so than men. French said early this year that the pandemic made families rethink how their earnings were being spent.

"We think a lot of families figured out how to manage their budget so one member of the household can stay home, maintain the household, maintain the children and not go back to work," French said, adding more women than men stayed home.

French said CareerSource CLM is looking at a new strategy, beginning July 1.

"We're going to be intensifying efforts on recruitment and really start focusing businesses on talent development and occupational training," French noted. "Right now, we have so many technical occupations out there."

He said there is a large need for employees in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.

"There's so many technical occupations that require certification, but not necessarily a college degree," he noted. "And so we really need to start talking with the businesses how do we shift their mindset."

French said "people aren't necessarily going to be walking through your front door looking for a job." The idea is to work with Marion County Public Schools to reach out to high school graduates while they're still in their formative years.

"And let's help them try to decide," French noted. "And then once they've made that decision, how do we get them to the businesses and what services can we as the workforce development provide to make sure that they're successful?"

Despite low unemployment, job fairs are still needed to find workers

CareerSource CLM and its affiliate Talent Center, in partnership with the College of Central Florida, will hold a Citrus County Job Fair on Tuesday, June 21. Citrus County's unemployment rate is just above 3%.

The free job fair is open to any job seeker in Citrus, Levy and Marion counties. The event is slated from 3:30-5 p.m. at CF’s Citrus County campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, in Lecanto.

As of June 10, these are the businesses that plan to attend: AutoZone Auto Parts, Citrus County Abuse Shelter Association, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, Citrus County Tax Collector, Crystal River Health and Rehabilitation Center, Florida Caregivers, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Key Training Center, MedFleet Ambulance, PedIM Healthcare and Quick Care Med, Power Movers Plumbing Electric LLC, Sevita – Florida Mentor, Tri-Co Communications, TrueCore Behavorial Solutions, and Weber Glass.

“There really is something for anyone interested in good, gainful employment in a variety of industries, from construction to manufacturing and healthcare to retail, as well as human, public and social services,” Rusty Skinner, CareerSource CLM’s chief executive officer, said in a press release.

Those interested in attending should prepare accordingly: bring printed copies resume, dress professionally, and be prepared for on-the-spot job interviews. While masks are not required, attendees should feel free to wear face coverings if they wish to do so.

Candidates are encouraged to visit one of the CareerSouce CLM's career centers for free assistance to update a resume, to prepare a 30-second “elevator speech” highlighting their skills and experience, or sharpen interview skills.

The centers are currently open to the public for in-person services from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are located at: 683 S. Adolph Point, in Lecanto; 2175 NW 11th Drive in Chiefland; and 2703 NE 14th St. in Ocala.

For more information about the job fair, including updates on participating businesses and/or to register, visit careersourceclm.com/event/job-fair-citrus-county/. To learn more, contact CareerSource CLM at (800) 434-5627.

Byrnes said there are many training programs available for qualified candidates. CareerSource CLM has grant funding to pay for on-the-job training. Byrnes said: "We will underwrite the salary (up to about $400 per week)."

"The jobs are there and if if you don't have a training, or the experience in a particular area, they can work," she noted. "They can work with us and we can help get them the training."

Joe Callahan can be reached at (352) 817-1750 or at joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeOcalaNews.

A 38-year-old woman was arrested in Ocala after she attempted to steal a Walmart employee’s sport utility vehicle.

On Saturday, June 18, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Walmart located at 9570 SW Highway 200 in Ocala in reference to an attempted vehicle theft. Upon arrival, the deputy observed a woman, later identified as Jessica Lyn Eaton, who was sitting in the driver’s seat of an SUV.

A Walmart employee approached the deputy, pointed at the SUV, and stated, “That’s her.” Eaton stepped outside of the vehicle and walked towards the deputy.

The deputy asked Eaton what had happened, and she requested to sit inside the deputy’s patrol car because it was hot outside. When asked again what had happened, Eaton stated that she entered the victim’s vehicle because “she was scared.”

Eaton told the deputy that she was unsure who the SUV belonged to and confirmed that she “broke into it.” The deputy detained her in handcuffs and placed her inside the patrol car.

The deputy made contact with the female victim who was a store employee. She stated that she was on a break during her shift when she walked into the parking lot and spotted Eaton inside her vehicle.

The victim stated that she yelled at Eaton to get out of the vehicle. Eaton eventually stepped outside, and the victim advised that Eaton proceeded to ask for a ride and a cigarette. The victim responded by telling Eaton to leave.

When the victim entered her vehicle, she observed bent metal tweezers that were stuck in the ignition. She removed the tweezers and parked her vehicle a few spots away. The victim stated that another employee came outside and requested for her to enter the store so that she could call law enforcement.

According to the victim, she left the vehicle locked and headed inside the store to call 911. While the victim was away, Eaton re-entered the victim’s vehicle, and she remained inside the vehicle until the deputy arrived on scene.

The MCSO report indicated that the deputy walked over to the victim’s vehicle to check the interior and observed bent metal tweezers that were in the ignition. When the deputy removed the tweezers, the vehicle made an audible noise as though a key had been removed.

The victim advised the deputy that a shirt in the back of the vehicle did not belong to her. The deputy noted in the report that the shirt appeared to be stained with feces and had a strong odor.

While the deputy was speaking with the victim, Eaton began yelling from the patrol car. The deputy walked over and saw that Eaton’s right wrist was no longer in the handcuff. After replacing the handcuff, the deputy told her that she would be charged with resisting arrest if she slipped her hand out of the handcuff again.

The victim informed the deputy that her vehicle’s back hatch was previously broken, and this was likely how Eaton had entered the vehicle. The deputy returned to the patrol car and observed that the handcuff on Eaton’s left wrist was removed. After she was placed back in handcuffs, she agreed to an interview.

Eaton admitted that she entered the vehicle through the unlocked hatch in the back. She claimed that she entered the vehicle because she was “spooked” by a man in the parking lot. She also admitted to using the tweezers to try to start the vehicle because she “wanted to leave.”

The victim noticed that a single dollar bill was missing from the center console in her vehicle. Eaton admitted that she took the dollar bill and the deputy collected it from her.

Eaton was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where she is currently being held on $16,500 bond. She is facing felony charges for grand theft of a motor vehicle (two counts) and unarmed burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, along with misdemeanor charges for second degree petit theft (first offense) and resisting an officer without violence.

A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, July 19 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.

For the Star-Banner

Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 155th anniversary on May 15 with liturgy, song, historical accounts and fellowship.

May McCants Stafford, born in 1937, said her parents attended Mt. Moriah and she was "born in the church."

"Mount Moriah means everything to me," Stafford said. She was one of 28 people named in the program as "50 plus" year members.

Stafford said she cherishes what she learned at Mr. Moriah, such as "the Golden Rule, and basic things like taking nothing for granted and live and let live."

Stafford served with the church's Health Ministry from about 2010 until 2020. She oversaw a diabetes support group and worked with a University of Florida nutritionist to provide programs for church members.

The future:Ocala City Council agrees on location for city’s next downtown parking garage

A history that dates to 1867

The downtown Ocala church was established in the wake of the 1867 Emancipation Proclamation by former enslaved people seeking a place where they could “praise, pray and worship with the fullness of their spirit, unrestricted by racial barriers,” according to a special anniversary program.

The Rev. Dr. Jerry B. Alexander Jr., from Saint Petersburg, has served as pastor at Mt. Moriah MBC since 2019. He said the church has a "loving atmosphere."

Alexander is married to church First Lady Sabrenia Alexander, and the couple have two adult children.

Gospel messages were delivered at three separate services on May 15 by Rev. Alexander and guest ministers Gaston E. Smith Sr., senior pastor/teacher of Friendship Missionary Church of Miami, and the Rev. Keith E. Blunt, pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church of Ocala.

A proclamation from Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn was posted inside the program. It states, in part, that Mt. Moriah MBC has a "well-known history of excellent pastors, leaders and congregants who have been at the forefront of our community’s spiritual, academic, cultural, social, service, civil rights, and political advancements."

The original church site was on South Pine Avenue, where the Firestone store now stands

A church history in the program states the former enslaved people withdrew from the local white Baptist church and, led by Pastor Rev. Samuel Small, founded Mt. Moriah MBC in a 30-foot-by-50-foot building on South Pine Avenue. The location is near the present site of Firestone Tire Co., the program states.

A local businessman offered the congregation land on Fort King Street, in the area of Pond and Lime Streets, in exchange for the South Pine property, according to the program.

The program indicates worshippers countywide who traveled to Mt. Moriah “saw the need to establish” churches in their own communities. From 1874 to 1906, Shady Grove Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Covenant Church and Hopewell Baptist Church were opened.

Mt. Moriah established its current site, 55 SW Third Ave., in 1911, according to the program.

'We were together'

The Rev. Frank George Pinkston Sr. served as Mt. Moriah MBC pastor from 1964 to 1967 and was known as the "Black Liberator of Marion County" for his "leadership in our Civil Rights program.” He also organized the first Head Start Program here for preschool children, according to the program.

A letter copied in the program from the Rev. Dr. Jerone Gamble, moderator of the Second Bethlehem Baptist Association, states Mt. Moriah MBC has been a "source of spiritual leadership and Christian Education" and has made "remarkable contributions" to the "musical, theatrical and the cultural development in this community."

Darren Gaddis, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ocala, wrote in a letter posted in the program that the two churches shared a "common history" in the group, which broke away to establish a "sweet fellowship" – Mt. Moriah MBC.

He wished the members of the church the "richest blessings of Christ."

The program also contains copies of congratulatory letters from Bishop James D. Stockton III, who is president of the local chapter of the NAACP, and from state Rep. Yvonne Hinson.

The Rev. Lorenzo S. Edwards served as pastor of Mt. Moriah from 1968 to 2018, years that included the tumult of the civil rights movement.

"Mt. Moriah stood its ground. (The church) gave us a direction and we kept our heads up. We were together," Edwards said in a telephone interview.

Edwards said serving at Mt. Moriah MBC was "part of a journey which turned out to be the best journey I could take. I found myself at Mt. Moriah and I'm thankful."

The program states several parcels adjacent to the church building were acquired under Edwards’ leadership, and building renovated on two properties now serve as offices, Sunday School classrooms, Mt. Moriah Community Center and Mt. Moriah Health Ministry.

A walking trail was also established on the property, the 155th anniversary program states.

Looking to the future

Church Clerk Vickie Turner said the church has had a very impressive impact on the community and its influence will continue to grow, especially as the church prepares to relocate.

As the Star-Banner has reported, the City of Ocala has purchased Mt. Moriah's downtown campus and plans to build a parking garage there. No start date has been set for construction, and no move date has been set for the congregation.

Mt. Moriah will relocate to church-owned land in Ocala at Southwest Fifth Street east of Southwest 27th Avenue. The congregation can stay at its current site for one year after the property sale closes, which should be in June.

'The friendliest church'

Among the congregation members attended the May 15 afternoon service were Jacqueline Gray and Regis Boatwright, who both served on 155th Anniversary Committee, and Zhenn Stuman, 9, who is Boatwight's grandson.

Boatwright and John Livingston were co-chairs of the anniversary Steering Committee.

Brandon Rhodes and Lee Butler were among the musicians at the afternoon service.

Michael Adams, whose wife, Shiyann, worked on an Anniversary Committee, and his grandson, Kaicen Adams, 6, and Royal Colbert and his sons Jayden, 12, and Jonathan, 16, were also there.

New church member Michelle McGirth attended the afternoon service with her daughter Milashia, 12. They joined 20-year church member Lily West Milton for refreshments after the service in the church annex.

Deacon Patrick Warfield, who also visited the church annex after the service, has been a member for about a year.

Deacon Don Peyton moved to Ocala in 2013 and joined Mt.ount Moriah MBC in 2014.

"(This is) the friendliest church," Peyton said. He said the members welcomed him "from when I first opened the door."

Ocala Star-Banner

SECO honored by Arbor Day Foundation

The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized SECO Energy as a Tree Line USA Utility for the 15th time, according to a SECO news release. The recognition goes to utilities that "take part in activities that protect and enhance America’s urban forests," the release says.

Erin Buss is new executive vice president at Southeast Trust Company

Erin Buss has been named executive vice president of development and strategy for Southeast Trust Company, according to a company news release. Buss previously worked in commercial banking and as firm administrator for the Purvis Gray CPA firm.

Southeast Trust Company, LLC is a wholly owned service organization of MIDFLORIDA Credit Union and provides trust and investment services.

Downtown Ocala restaurant news:Mark's Prime Steakhouse has new owner; upgrades planned

County Commissioner Kathy Bryant appointed to Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation

County Commissioner Kathy Bryant has been appointed to a three-year term on the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. Sheriff Billy Woods also serves on the 15-person commission, "which is made up of law enforcement leadership and elected officials from around the state of Florida," according to a county government news release.

Who's calling? It could be a legit survey

If you get a phone call about City of Ocala Public Works, it's not a prank. The department is sponsoring an anonymous phone survey June 8-15 to gather feedback on its residential and commercial sanitation services, according to a city news release.

Calls will be made 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. On Caller ID, the phone numbers will appear as 352-224-9053 or 352-872-7306. Sarasota-based Baldrige Group, LLC is handling the survey.

CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion schedule update

As of June 6, all CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion career centers will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. "This change will last until Covid-related conditions warrant a return to regular hours for in-person services," the agency said in a news release.

In Marion County, this applies to CareerSource CLM's center at 2703 NE 14th St., Ocala, and its affiliate Talent Center (in partnership with the College of Central Florida) at 3033 SE College Road, Building 42, Suite 101.

CareerSource CLM services continue to be available by phone, chat and at the agency website. More at 1-800-434-JOBS (5627) or careersourceclm.com.

Clerk of the Circuit Court office honored

In the most recent Florida Court Clerks & Comptrollers (FCCC) Best Practices Excellence Program, the Marion County Clerk of Court and Comptroller’s Office was awarded certificates in recognition of excellence for best practices in 12 areas:

Planet 13 to locate marijuana dispensary in Ocala

Cannabis company Planet 13 announced last week that it will locate the third of its planned six Florida dispensaries in Ocala.

In a news release, the company said it is targeting "major Florida population centers with underserved local residents."

The company has not provided a street address for its Ocala location, saying only that it will be "across the street from a Walmart Supercenter and an IMAX theater."

According to its website, Planet 13 is "a vertically integrated cannabis company, with award-winning cultivation, production and dispensary operations in Las Vegas and in Orange County, California. Planet 13 also holds a medical marijuana treatment center license in Florida." More at www.planet13holdings.com.

Send items to calendar@starbanner.com

A couple hundred human visitors and many of their canine companions, ranging from dachshunds to great Danes, visited the World Equestrian Center on Wednesday to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the 40,000-square-foot University of Florida Veterinary Hospital.

The clinic, which will provide care for horses and small animals, is the latest in a series of investments by the University of Florida in Ocala, as well as the latest development at WEC, which continues adding to its many arenas, expo centers, restaurants, hotel, RV park and extended stay suites off of State Road 40 in west Ocala.

“Nowhere else in the world is there a leading-edge veterinary hospital located in a premiere equine venue with all the services equine competitors need to ensure their horses are kept in optimal health and performance-ready condition,” Dr. Dana Zimmel, dean of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine said.

'A lot of screaming going on':Ocala farm cheered as horse it broke won the Kentucky Derby

'This place is magical':Minnesota couple relocate Arabian horse operation to north Marion

“Working across a variety of disciplines, our hospital will offer a broad spectrum of expertise, diagnostic and patient care, not just to elite athletes but to companion animals as well,” she continued.

Advancing horse and small animal health

Equine services at the facility include sports medicine, diagnostic imaging and rehabilitation. Small animals, such as cats and dogs, can receive urgent and primary care. UF Health, which also operates veterinary and human hospitals in Gainesville, hopes to expand further into specialty services at the clinic as well.

“Although the hospital’s primary focus is patient care, our academic mission of teaching and research will also benefit from a unique alliance,” Zimmel said. “We will gain knowledge as we share to advance horse and small animal health nationwide.”

Community members and future clients toured the new clinic on Wednesday, including Karen Hickman of Ocala and her goldendoodle Lily.

“I think this is going to be a great facility,” Hickman said. “I’m going to sign her up as a client just for coming in here and having her routine work or anything she needs.”

Hickman also has horses that she may bring to the clinic for some of the special equipment, such as the MRI machine.

“My other horse had to have surgery and I had to take them up all the way to Gainesville, so it would be so convenient to have something closer,” she said.

In addition to locals, the clinic will benefit WEC visitors, who often bring their dogs along with their horses to shows or even canine competitions.

For horses, there is a procedure suite, a TheraPlate for vibration therapy, a MaXuSS PRO solarium for infrared light therapy, a dry salt therapy room, two water treadmills, a Qalibra CT system, a LONGMILE Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner and a Hallmarq standing MRI machine.

For small animals, there are eight exam rooms, a surgical suite and dentistry suite. Grooming and boarding will also be available soon.

A growing relationship between UF and Ocala

The new clinic will help satisfy growing animal care needs in the growing community and will complement the UF Pet Emergency Treatment Services clinic for small animals, which opened in 2012 in southwest Ocala.

UF also has an equine presence in Marion County with two 4-H equine programs and its Equine Science Center focused on nutrition and reproduction.

The UF College of Veterinary Medicine, the only veterinary college in Florida, is ranked ninth in the country among veterinary colleges.

“Gainesville and University of Florida is all-in on this community,” David Nelson, UF Health president and UF senior vice president for health affairs, said. “This is a critical community to North Central Florida, and we’re just delighted to have the honor to be here to help provide services.”

Nelson noted UF Health’s plans to build a hospital, surgery center and medical plaza in west Ocala just east of Interstate 75. UF Health also purchased nearly 27 acres in Summerfield last year.

“We’re looking forward to what this is going to mean to the community, not only this but our relationship with the University of Florida,” Ocala Mayor Kent Guinn said. “The relationship between the University of Florida and Ocala is only going to grow.”

Making WEC "bigger and better"

Mary Roberts, who owns WEC with her husband Larry, said all of the horses and dogs will have a great time at the facility, and they “look forward to the next time we can build on and make it bigger and better.”

She noted a 120,000-square-foot shopping center in the works, and renderings of an equine sports performance complex were displayed at the event. WEC is also constructing a second hotel that will be pet friendly and have 400 rooms. In Reddick in north Marion County, WEC is currently planning the WEC Jockey Club.

“We thank all of the whole of Ocala,” Roberts said. “You’ve been so great to us in the past, and we hope we can live up to what you expect of us in the future.”

The clinic officially opens on Thursday, May 26 at 1156 NW 81st Terrace Road in the World Equestrian Center. Call 352-414-3858 or visit vethospitals.ufl.edu/wec to make an appointment or find more information.

Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.